The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Eket Field office, has sealed five filling stations in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State including that of the Chairman, Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee (PPMC), in the state, Mr Godwin Ekpo

The State Coordinator of NMDPRA, Mr. Ikechukwu Eseka who disclosed this to newsmen in Uyo after a two day routine surveillance operations said the filling station of the PPMC was sealed due to non-possession of an operating license and selling of products illegally.

Eseka wondered where the PPMC chairman obtains his products from since he does not have operational license even as he suspected diversion of products.

According to him, “This is the clear case of diversion of products of about 15,000 litres of suspected fuel being sold at his filling station.

“How? from who? and how did he get PMS to sell as the directive of NO LICENSE, NO LOADING depots was still in force.

“His filling station was even selling the diverted product from two pumps.”

Eseka said the other four filling stations were sealed for various infractions, such as under dispensing, poor housekeeping, and modification of station/rebranding without obtaining the necessary approvals from NMDPRA.

The state coordinator noted that the filling stations would remain sealed until they pay necessary fines to the federal government.

Petroleum regulatory agency seals 5 illegal filling stations in Akwa Ibom